If you have lots of ambitious plans for the future.

I've got a whole series of new books I want to write thousands of more videos to script,

but guess what? None of us may be able to do any of the things we want to do if

we don't have our health. Welcome to the Nutrition Facts Podcast. I'm your host

Dr. Michael Greger. Today we take a close

look at the effectiveness of sunscreen we start with the results of a randomized

controlled trial to see if it can actually slow skin aging.

Consider the single most important practices for maintaining youthful skin,

the daily application of sunscreen, and taking other protective measures like wearing a hat.

All the other things you can do for your skin pale in comparison, especially for those with pale skin.

Up to 90% of visible facial aging among people with lighter skin tones is due to exposure to sunlight.

Those with darker skin are relatively protected due to their built-in melon and sunscreen,

but they're still affected. Sun damage and darker skin tends to be less about

wrinkles and more about pigmentation issues, such as uneven skin tones, dark patches, and small

dark bumps on the face.

Either way, dermatologists now agree that there is nothing more important

to slow the signs of aging than to protect your skin from the sun.

Factors like sun exposure and smoking can make us look up to 11 years older.

Compare that to extensive cosmetic surgery, a facelift and a neck lift, and removing

excess skin from both upper and lower eyelids and a forehead lift, which combined can make us look about eight years younger.

So a healthy lifestyle may work even better.

Protecting your skin from the sun should be a lifelong endeavor.

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